We are working out our itinerary for our Italy trip in April/May and a portion of it includes Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence/Tuscany., and Rome. We plan to travel by train. Is it better to take the train from Venice to Cinque Terre, or to Florence first?
Posted by
Oregon
248 posts
Travelers here have done it either way. Going to Florence last involves back-tracking but that might fit into your schedule just fine.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
It's not a big difference, but visiting Florence first can mean a bit less travel time and backtracking. Some connections from Venice to the Cinque Terre go through Florence, any way (or else through Milan). And there are direct trains from the Cinque Terre area to Rome that don't go through Florence.
Posted by
Green Bay
21274 posts
There are two trains routes to the Cinque Terre from Venice. One goes through Milan, then down to Genoa. The other goes to Florence then to Pisa. Take your pick.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Venice to Cinque Terra is (5 hrs 23m). Just about the same time as traveling Venice, Florence (2:05) - CT. )3:09) total time (5 hrs 14 min). The question is whether you prefer to break up the trip, or then backtrack to Florence, 3hrs9min.
Posted by
USA
423 posts
A good site to research Italys trains is
Www.loco2.com
It was recommended on this forum to me and Ive used it ever since- its user friendly- lists both Italo and Trenitalia regional and fast (freccia) trains- and no mark up.
Happy Travels✨💫
Posted by
Washington DC
28436 posts
Do not trust Rome2Rio as to length of train (or bus) journeys, frequency or fares. It is good at identifying trips for which you will need to include buses and is usually accurate when it says you will have to transfer at some specific town. But you need to keep drilling down to find a link to the website of the appropriate train or bus company, where you will get accurate information about schedules and fares. It's critical to pay attention to season of the year and day of the week.
When I'm just interested in train schedules (not in fares), I go straight to the very user-friendly Deutsche Bahn website.